Rest in Pieces: Cars That Bit the Dust in 2012

While we're preparing to ring in the New Year, let’s take a look back at the cars, trucks, and SUVs that won't be joining us in 2013. While nameplates like Ferrari 599 GTB Fiorano and Hyundai Veracruz died in 2012, their places in their respective automakers lineups were replaced by updated models like the F12 Berlinetta and long-wheelbase Santa Fe. Instead, this list is dedicated to the vehicles that have announced their departure or left the marketplace in 2012 without any direct replacement.

Acura ZDX: The Acura ZDX was never really well-received by the automotive press or the public. The four-seat crossover had a coupe-like roofline and controversial styling, limited utility, and a price tag that made it hard to justify its purchase over the mechanically related MDX.Chevrolet Avalanche: Unlike other vehicles on this list, the Chevrolet Avalanche isn't being discontinued because it’s a bad vehicle – it's leaving us as a result of parental neglect. The second-generation of the innovative Avalanche debuted in 2007 and saw its only real update in 2009, when the four-speed auto was replaced by a six-speed slushbox. Because the Avalanche was never kept fresh, sales dwindled, eventually resulting in its discontinuation.Lexus HS 250h: First introduced in 2009, the Lexus HS 250h didn't live up to Lexus' sales or its customers’ fuel economy expectations. The problem may have been that most customers expected the HS 250h to net fuel economy comparable to the similarly sized Toyota Prius. Since the HS 250h used a modified version of the Toyota Camry Hybrid's powertrain, that never happened. The end result was a slow-selling unattractive car, discontinued after just three years on the marketplace.

Lexus LFA: The Lexus LFA is the most recent edition to this list; the last of the carbon fiber supercar rolled off its special assembly line earlier this month. The 552-hp V-10-powered LFA was always intended to be a limited edition model, with just 500 made before Lexus closed up shop.Mazda CX-7: The Mazda CX-7 died for the greater good of the Mazda lineup. The CX-7 was a bit of a tweener that never really had a direct competitor, but worked for Mazda until the CX-5 arrived. Since the CX-5 offers better fuel economy and more interior space, Mazda has dropped the CX-7 from its U.S. lineup.Mercedes-Benz R-Class: Fact: Americans don't like minivans. Fact: The Mercedes-Benz R-Class is essentially a minivan, despite the lack of sliding doors. With Mercedes customers buying GL- and M-Class vehicles in droves, the R-Class quietly left the U.S.Mitsubishi Galant: For the Mitsubishi Galant, its demise frankly couldn't come soon enough. Here's hoping Mitsubishi goes back to the drawing board and returns with a groundbreaking midsize sedan in the next five years.

Suzuki: Sadly another automaker announced its departure this year. Suzuki is following in Saab's footsteps and halting new-car sales in the U.S. Suzuki’s lineup includes gems like the Kizashi and Equator. Though good when they first debuted, models like the SX4 and Grand Vitara likely won't be missed.Volvo C30: Volvo was once known for selling stylish hatchbacks and wagons. Last year, it withdrew its V50 wagon from the U.S., and now it's taking back its last hatchback. That's a shame too, because with Volvo teasing variants like the C30 Polestar, it was just getting good.

Why is there so much favor for the C30? It was not fast, frugal, nor versitile. Just check out that hinged rearward facing window that makes a claim to be a hatch. That was a small factor in the demise of the Crossfire. The REAL reason it deserves to die is the fact that it was featured in the "Twilight" movies!

Next up should be the Toyota/Scion iQ and also the Nissan Juke. iQ: kill the car that can most efficiently kill you and three small-framed friends. Juke: Doesn't it share underpinnings with the less vulgar Rogue?

I saw '70's and '80's star and more recent train wreck Gary Busey jamming out to a lame '70's tune in a C30 on TMZ this week. Maybe Volvo should wait and see if there's a TMZ / Gary Busey led sales spike before turning out the lights on their quirky hatchback (offering some of the hotter European C30 versions like the German one in the picture might help, too) !!

TBH not really a fan of most Japanese cars, but I do have to admit, The Suzuki Kazashi is a great looking car. Take out the CVT and put a manual with its awd set up , upgrade the engine to the v6 in the vitara (or if the current engine is good, leave it), itd be fun.

Don't forget about the Nissan Murano CrossCabriolet, which was quirky and never saw the light of day. According to Consumer Reports, that has been discontinued. Still, it is again an honourable mention considering it marks an attempt of the first of its kind.

The CX-7 is one of the best-looking 4x4s ever made, but unfortunately, its size sits in a no man's land. It's bigger than an Outlander but didn't offer seven seats. The engine is also notorious for gas-guzzling. The CX-9 and CX-5 made it fade to automotive insignificance.

I welcome the good news of the departure of the hideous ZDX and wish we could have bid the equally awful first generation Avalanche with the nauseating Rubbermaid cladding Adieu ten years ago !! I'm sorry to see the V30 go, even if it was basically a gussied up five cylinder second generation Focus. As for the rest, the leather lined Toyota Avensis hybrid sold as the "Lexus" HS250h won't be missed, nor will the Galant that would have been a decade old in a few months or any Suzuki other than the Kizashi (if Mitsubishi isn't working out a deal to offer it as the "new" Galant, they really don't deserve to stay in business). I think the LF-A would be a sadder departure if it hadn't had such an aspirational window sticker !!

A bit of a shame to see the ZDX go. Those things were quite nice looking in person. Granted, like the RL that is following it, it didn't do much to distinguish itself from the MDX that was cheaper. Acura, get your head in the game. Make things like the ZDX only after you get things like the RL correct.

The statements made about the Avalanche are a bit misguided. Parental neglect wouldn't have been a factor in its demise because the Avalanche was updated just as often as the Tahoe and Suburban were. Anytime there were new features, such as the new transmission in 2009 and the new navigation system in 2012, the Avalanche received them accordingly.

Sad to see the Avalanche go, it was a very unique truck and the current generation is very good looking, but it doesnt make sense for GM to keep it, it was stuck between the Silverado and Colorado and it wasnt needed.

Dont like seeing the CX7 on the list. I absolutely loved my 07 GT CX7,probably my favorite vehicle out of the many ive owned. Hopefully Mitsubishi wakes up and builds a Galant replacement thats worth a damn,maybe even throw in a 4B11 and make another Galant VR4. Always liked the Avalanche,my friend just bought a 13 black diamond edition LTZ in diamond white,great looking nice vehicle,like the front ends more than the Silverado. Everything else I could care less about. The Lexus was WAY overpriced like everything else they sell. ZDX and R class are ugly.

The poor Kizashi suffered from a lack of marketing awarness 101 via Suzuki. Perception is everything when you are selling your product and there are no mass "aha" moments that result in thousands of sales. This is not a slam, but when I think of Suzuki, I think of dirt bikes and ratty buzz-bomb compact 4x4s.

If your competitive sedan offering doesn't have the magic "T" or "H" on the grille, then you've got some splainin' to do.

What bothers me on this list is the Kizashi (it really is pretty decent and WELL unappreciated) and while I am no fan of GM trucks, the Avalanche was something special. Desperately needed an update in every way like the rest of the GMTs, but now all that is left in that niche is the ridgeline and I am no fan of that at all. Oh well.

First, from the article, "The Lexus LFA is the most recent edition to this list." Really? And who edited this sentence?

Second, this will be an unlamented bunch. The Acura ZDX tops my list of Stupid Cars thar Should Never Have Been Built. (Have you ever even seen one on the road? There are two on the local dealer lot, but they have been there for months and don't count.)

The rest are nearly as bad, with the exception of the LFA (not bad, just irrelevant to my life) and the Avalanche (not neglected any more than the rest of the Chevy truck line, just not included in the 2014 update.)

No tears shed here for any of them. The rediculously expensive LF-A that was so 'untouchable' like a Bugatti-anything wont be missed here. Super-cars are for the super-rich, or sports figures so grossly overpaid they can buy two. Yawn.

@PrydeWater turbocharged C30's are pretty quick, just a step or two behind such compact performance leaders as the GTI, Focus ST (which is based on a newer version of the same platform) and Civic Si. They offer a more premium interior than most any mainstream compact and utility that can't be matched by a compact coupe or 2 door sedan.They therefore deserve at least some respect especially coming from a brand with very little recent compact success. There's not much defending the IQ other than to say it is at least a better city car than the Smart ForTwo. As far as the Juke, it features an engine that SHOULD be offered in a Versa SE-R. Too bad Nisan is busy looking for new ways to suck (which includes a decade old full size pick-up, a mid-size pick-up that's only a year behind the Titan, too many old engines in desperate need of a technology overhaul, that hideous and worthless topless Murano, a Pathfinder based on a car platform that is no longer truly off road capable, a new Sentra that there are no plans to offer in a performance version and on and on) .

What I don't get is Volvo kills the wagons that basically made them from the '70's to the '90's. I've had several friends and relatives with Volvo wagons ranging from earliest 240 series (a '78 245 that replaced a '74 144 sedan if I remember right) to a 2007 V70 Cross Country, including a 740 Turbo and a simply too sweet 245 (or was it 240) GLT Turbo Intercooled with the manual shifter mounted overdrive button) and the owners were okay with (740) liked (V70's) or loved (every manual transmission 240, even the sluggard naturally aspirated ones) them, sentiments I share (a 240 series Turbo sedan or wagon still appeals to me, although I would likely upgrade the engine). Any way Volvo slowly eliminates EVERY single wagon and now their affordable hatchback and then seems to wonder why their sales are on life support. They need to get back in the wagon business YESTERDAY (and don't forget the clean diesel or hybrid versions to appeal to the old school granola munchers who used to buy Volvos) and if they wanna bring back the C30 soon or when the next generation (hopefully with some sort of "green" version to please the liberal former Volvo owners who've shifted to hybrids) is introduced, I'm cool with that, too.

That's a lot of ignorance for one post. You should stretch before being that ignorant.

It took exactly 2 years to build and sell the 500, just as Lexus said it would. People like you said they wouldn't sell Car 1. It did every Lexus said it would, and then some (Setting the track record at Nurburgring). Unlike a car like the Phaeton, it is held in reverence by enthusiasts, not that you would know anything about being an enthusiast.

To attack this car is to attack engineering over budgets, dedication over compromise, fun over pragmatism.

I can't tell if you are that ignorant, or just a simple troll, but whatever the case, Happy Holidays.....

funny how a car that sets a "track record" at the ring, is miraculously slower than many other cars when you take it to a real racetrack like Laguna Seca (which is a reasonable length, and has repeatable lap times)

also funny how they had to keep throwing out special editions like the ring edition, because nobody was buying the regular version and it was getting embarrasing

real supercar makers sell out 500 car runs before production even starts